The name of painter, printmaker and writer Robert Motherwell (1915–91) is often taken as synonymous with the New York School, whose name he coined. Motherwell was the youngest of this group of Abstract Expressionists working in art, dance, poetry and music in 1950s and '60s New York City, which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Philip Guston, Helen Frankenthaler and Mark Rothko.
Born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1915, Motherwell had perhaps the broadest and best education of any of the New York School coterie, with an extensive background in philosophy, literature and art history. He earned a BA in philosophy in 1937 from Stanford University and was working toward a PhD in the subject at Harvard when he interrupted his studies for a yearlong trip to Europe, where he fell in love with European modernism.
After returning, in 1940 he enrolled Columbia to study art history. It was there that he met a group of exiled Parisian Surrealists, and encounter that proved influential on his style. Motherwell began to integrate the idea of “automatism” — unmediated gestures that reflect deeper psychological impulses — into his work, pioneering a new form of Abstract Expressionism that came to characterize the New York School.
Works like the 1967 Beside the Sea no. 45, an acrylic on canvas, and the 1966 lithograph New York International epitomize Motherwell’s use of simple shapes in boldly contrasting colors, executed in quick, gestural strokes that occasionally evoke figures, suggesting a latent narrative despite their obvious abstraction.
Throughout his career, Motherwell taught painting at Hunter College, in New York, and at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, where his work influenced the likes of Cy Twombly, Robert Rauschenberg and Kenneth Noland. His influence as one of the founding fathers of American Abstract Expressionism remains profound.
Robert Motherwell - Pull Out All Flags, iconic etching & aquatint, SIgned 33/50
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Robert Motherwell Pull Out All Flags (Engberg, Banach 263), 1980 Aquatint and etching in colors, on German Etching paper, with full margins Hand-signed by artist, Pencil signed and n...
Etching, Aquatint
"Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975" Robert Motherwell, AbEx
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Robert Motherwell Birthday Party / Robert Motherwell / January 24. 1975, 1975 Signed on the reverse Mixed media, lithograph and collage 10 x 24 inches Robert Motherwell was among t...
Mixed Media, Lithograph
$16,800Sale Price|20% Off
Perpetual Summer
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
60 x 42.9 cms ( 23.62 x 16.89 ins) Edition of 26 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right Publ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
29.88 x 22.36 ins (75.9 x 56.8 cms) Edition of 96 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Green Gauloises
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, graphite and printed paper collage on board 42.6 x 36.8 cms (16 3/4 x 14 1/2 ins) This is the only collage in which Motherwell used a green package from Gauloises Caporal D...
Mixed Media
$19,077
Australian Stone - Modern, Expressionism, Collage, Aquatint, Red, Abstract
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
Aquatint in colours and collage "Australian Stone" by Robert Motherwell from 1983-1984. The edition on Hawthorne comprises 67 copies. This present copy is signed, inscribed and n...
Mixed Media, Color, Aquatint, Etching
America - La France Variations IX - Modern, Expressionism, Collage, Lithograph
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Köln, DE
Collage and lithograph in colours "America - La France Variantions IX" by Robert Motherwell from 1983-1984. The edition on handmade paper comprises 78 copies. The present copy is...
Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Lithograph
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 29.25 ins (113 x 74.3 cms) Edition of 108 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower left Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower left; some impressions have artist's chop mark lower left Publisher:The Juilliard School...
Color, Mixed Media, Screen
Price Upon Request
The Red and Black No. 52
By Robert Motherwell
Located in Houston, TX
Robert Motherwell's "The Red and Black No.52" is an abstract collage that incorporates oil based etching ink, pasted papers, and aquatint on paper. The piece was created between the ...
Paper, Ink, Aquatint
Price Upon Request
Study for Open Series
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic and graphite on paper. 15.2 x 21 cms (6 x 8 1/4 ins)
Acrylic, Graphite
Price Upon Request
The Brown Stripe
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic and pasted papers on paper 35.6 x 21 cms (14 x 8 1/2 ins)
Paper, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Cabaret No. 2
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, pasted papers, and graphite on paper 56 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Cabaret No. 8
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
Acrylic, pencil and collage on paper 55.9 x 26 cms (22 x 10 1/4 ins)
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Untitled
By Piero Dorazio
Located in Summit, NJ
Gorgeous aquatint in reds and oranges by Piero Dorazio (Italian 1927-2005). This aquatint is on heavy "Umbria" Fabriano paper. It is signed and dated 1964 in the lower margin in penc...
Aquatint
$1,827
H 13.47 in W 12.01 in D 0.04 in
Zao Wou-ki - Moments - Original Aquatint with Hand-Signed Justification
By Zao Wou-Ki
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Zao Wou-ki - Moments - Original Aquatint Edition of 130 Dimensions: 34.2 x 30.5 cm Vellum paper BFK Rives 1996 Bibliography: Jørgen Ågerup, Zao Wou-Ki: The Graphic Work, A Catalogue ...
Aquatint
Roth-Handle
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
CR 168 Paper:Auvergne à la Main Richard de Bas handmade paper; offset-printed Roth Händle cigarette label Signature:Signed "RM" in pencil upper right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil ...
Aquatint
$1,800
H 32 in W 30 in D 2 in
Coming Alive, Abstract Large-Scale Etching in Earthtones
By Pierre Marie Brisson
Located in Soquel, CA
Geometric limited edition etching, hand painted abstract of an orange and blue figure inside of a circle by Pierre Brisson (French, b, 1955). Signed "Brisson" lower right and "720/75...
Etching, Oil, Printer's Ink
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 29.25 in
Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 29.25 ins (113 x 74.3 cms) Edition of 108 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower left Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower left; some impressions have artist's chop mark lower left Publisher:The Juilliard School...
Color, Mixed Media, Screen
Acquainted with the Night
By Howard Hodgkin
Located in New York, NY
Vivid color aquatint with hand coloring in watercolor by Howard Hodgkin, from a limited edition of 50. Initialed by Hodgkin, dated and numbered in pencil. Printed by Andrew's Print...
Watercolor, Aquatint
$48,985
H 42.5 in W 39.25 in D 1 in
Frank Stella, Whitney Museum exhibited graphic work with Label, Signed/N, Framed
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
Frank Stella (Whitney Museum Exhibited) Shards IVA (Axsom 151), 1982 Lithograph & Silkscreen on Arches Cover Paper (Whitney Museum exhibition label verso of frame) 45 1/2 × 39 1/...
Mixed Media, Lithograph, Screen
$2,500
H 39 in W 64 in D 1 in
Burden of Need, 39x64 Multi media with hand coloring and collage
By Steven Sorman
Located in Southampton, NY
Steve Sorman has had over 80 solo artist exhibitions throughout the United States . I have included, just for reference, some images of his museum show so that you can see the body...
Oil Pastel, Ink, Mixed Media, Handmade Paper, Aquatint
Oiseau Entre deux Astres
By Joan Miró
Located in New York, NY
A very good impression of this color aquatint, etching and carborundum. Signed and numbered 27/75 in pencil by Miro. Printed and published by Maeght, Paris. Catalogue reference: Du...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
Mexican Night II
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 44.5 cms (17.5 x 17.5 ins) Edition of 70 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower right ...
Color, Etching, Aquatint
$3,000
H 20 in W 25.5 in
Ibiza, Minimalist Mixed Media Work on Paper by Conrad Marca Relli
By Conrad Marca-Relli 1
Located in Long Island City, NY
A collage by Conrad Marca-Relli from 1968. An iconic piece of 1960's minimalist multi-media art. Artist: Conrad Marca-Relli, American (1913 - 2000) Title: Ibiza Year: 1968 Medium:...
Paper, Mixed Media, Newsprint
Senza Titolo III
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
125 x 135.5 cms (49.21 x 53.35 ins) Edition of 76 76 numbered impressions and 14 artist's proofs Fabriano Rosaspina paper Signed in pencil, inscribed 'Bon a tirer'. Published ...
Aquatint, Color, Etching
$900
H 22 in W 30 in
Untitled - Abstract II, Abstract Expressionist Etching by Yannick Ballif
By Yannick Ballif
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Yannick Ballif, French (1927 - ) Title: Untitled - Abstract II Year: 1973 Medium: Aquatint Etching with Carborundum, signed and dated Size: 22 x 30 inches
Etching, Aquatint
Reflections III
By Louise Nevelson
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Caviar20 is excited to be offering this evocative print by the inimitable Louise Nevelson - one of the most revered and unique sculptors of the 20th century. Nevelson is renowned for her mysterious and complex artworks. She was an active printmaker, experimenting with different techniques and approaches while working with some of the best print-making studios in the United States. Nevelson, whether working in sculpture or in two dimensions typically had a strict palette; almost exclusively black. While there are iconic works in white, gold, or raw wood, Nevelson almost entirely avoids color. However, during the last decade of her life, her palette expanded notably with her printmaking. "Reflections III" is an example from her 1983 portfolio, "Reflections I-V" consisting of six large-scale prints. These prints contain signature elements found throughout Nevelson's prints; ripped or collage-like forms as well as the use of fabric, lace, and toile in the printing process. However one of the strongest characteristics of the "Reflections" series is her new uninhibited use of color. Here it is used to maximum effect. This work features unexpected elements of fuchsia, crimson, and Prussian blue that punctuate her signature layered collage-like composition. Nevelson's late prints are truly some of her best. Over the last few years, there has been tremendous momentum in both interest and appreciation of Nevelson's work. In May of 2021, a new auction record of $1.35 million was established for one of Nevelson's signature white construction sculptures...
Etching, Aquatint
Senza Titolo I
By Sam Francis
Located in London, GB
125.5 x 135.5 cms (49.41 x 53.35 ins) Edition of 58 Signed in pencil, inscribed 'Bon a tirer'. Published by 2RC Edizioni d'Arte, Rome Printed by Vigna Antoniniana, Rome, with t...
Aquatint, Color, Etching
Cor Anglais
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
Robert Motherwell Cor Anglais, 1976 acrylic and printed paper collage on paper 22h x 15w in SIGNATURE signed with the artist's initials and dated 'RM 11 Feb 76' (lower left) EXHIBITIONS New Jersey, Montclair Art Museum, Robert Motherwell: The Music Collages...
Acrylic
Sold
H 30 in W 22 in D 2 in
"Redness of Red" Lithograph Screenprint Collage Contemporary Abstract Abex 1/100
By Robert Motherwell
Located in New York, NY
"Redness of Red" Lithograph Screenprint Collage Contemporary Abstract Abex 1/100 Redness of Red by Robert Burns Motherwell (1915-1991) Lithograph Scree...
Paper, Lithograph, Screen
Summer Light Series: Harvest With Leaf
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
91.4 x 46.4 cms (36 x 18.3 ins) Edition of 54 Paper:Georges Duchêne Hawthorne of Larroque handmade paper; Ernte cigarette label; Ernte cigarette carton label Proofs:12 AP number...
Mixed Media, Color, Lithograph
Summer Light Series: Harvest With Leaf
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
36 x 18.3 ins (91.4 x 46.4 cms) Edition of 54 Signature:Signed "Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; workshop chop mark lower...
Lithograph, Mixed Media
Untitled
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
29.88 x 22.36 ins (75.9 x 56.8 cms) Edition of 96 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower right Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower right; artist's chop mark lower ri...
Aquatint, Color, Etching